December 17, 2015
Rush Township Building
Hometown, PA 18252
Minutes of the Meeting of the Rush Township Board of Supervisors
A meeting was held at the Rush Township Municipal Building on December 17, 2015 at 7:00 o’clock pm. In attendance were: Chairman Shawn Gilbert, Vice Chairman Robert Leibensperger, Treasurer/Secretary, Katie Orlick, Attorney Chris Riedlinger, and Bill McMullen. Supervisor Jeaninne Motroni was not present due to work.
Chairman Shawn Gilbert called the meeting to order.
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Police Report –Sergeant Frederick read his police report for the month of November 2015. A motion was made by Chairman Gilbert to approve Sergeant Frederick’s report. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved, Katie Orlick polled the board. All members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.
Minutes of Previous Meeting – November 19, 2015 A motion was made by Chairman Gilbert to approve the previous meeting minutes of November 19, 2015. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved. Katie Orlick polled the board, all members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried
Treasurer’s Report – A motion was made by Chairperson Gilbert to approve the treasurer’s report. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved the motion. Katie Orlick polled the board, all members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.
Approval of current township and sewer bills thru December 2015 – A motion was made by Chairman Gilbert to approve the municipal reports thru December, 2015. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved. Katie Orlick polled the board, all members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.
Approval of municipal reports (sewer, road, Arro, Prodesign) – A motion was made by Chairman Gilbert to approve the municipal reports for October 2015. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved the motion. Katie Orlick polled the board. All members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.
Attorney’s Business – Resolution prepared to adopt tonight and another motion to adopt Mileage Rates for 2016. Last couple of years appointed an accountant to do the audit; do you want to continue to do that? Chris will prepare all necessary paperwork and need to get out the request for proposal. Motion to request for proposals to various accountants to appoint an accountant for 2016.
Correspondence – PSATS.
Old Business – None.
NEW BUSINESS–
- Motion to approve the Budget for 2016. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved the motion, Supervisor, Shawn Gilbert seconded. Katie Orlick polled the board. All members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried. Public Comment – Cathy asked about the Solid Waste there was no designation for laborer, that’s part of the road department and in 2017 they will look at how to split this.
- Motion to hold our Reorganization Meeting and our regular monthly meeting on Monday, January 4, 2016 at 7:00p.m., the regular meeting will follow. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved the motion, Supervisor, Shawn Gilbert seconded. Katie Orlick polled the board. All members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.
- Motion to approve Change Order #1 for an extension of the Northeastern Hyrdro-Seeding Co., Inc to May 20, 2016 for the Miller Park Phase 1 retroactive to November 1, 2015. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved the motion, Supervisor, Shawn Gilbert seconded. Katie Orlick polled the board. All members in favor of the motion, motion carried.
- Motion to approve Change Order #1 for an extension of the substantial completion date to January 22, 2016 for the Doli Construction contract for the Chestnut Sewer Replacement Project. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved the motion, Supervisor, Shawn Gilbert seconded. Katie Orlick polled the board. All members in favor of the motion, motion carried.
- Motion to adopt Resolution for Inclusion of a small quantity bituminous escalator for the 2016 paving project. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved the motion, Supervisor, Shawn Gilbert seconded. Katie Orlick polled the board. All members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.
- Motion to purchase 12 Grinder Pumps for the Sewer Department. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved the motion, Supervisor, Shawn Gilbert seconded. Katie Orlick polled the board. All members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried. Public Question – what are you doing with all these grinder pumps, they are being used for Lake Hauto and there is an agreement between LH and Rush Township if there is a problem, they will be repaired or replaced by Rush Township, that’s why they are paying $140/quarter otherwise they would be paying $90/quarter.
- Motion to accept William Boyer’s resignation as Auditor of Rush Township. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved the motion, Supervisor, Shawn Gilbert seconded. Katie Orlick polled the board. All members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried. Public Question – Do we have any auditors right now, no there is not. Put in the paper to advertise for auditors. Does the auditor have access to the books, yes.
- Motion to accept Jeffrey Tanner’s resignation as a Part-Time Police Officer for Rush Township, retro-active November 15, 2015. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved the motion, Supervisor, Shawn Gilbert seconded. Katie Orlick polled the board. All members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.
Public Comment –
- Mr. Tracey – Spoke to secretary about tree near Turkey Hill, (on Lincoln) have you seen it? That is a state road, he went down to Knowles office and left a message for him as he was not there. PennDOT is responsible for this tree and we are unable to touch the tree. Bill McMullen will send an email to them about the tree and hopefully get it resolved. If it falls and stops traffic then the fire department can clear it from the road.
- Joe Shamonsky – Does the Auditor have access to the books? Yes, you need to make an appointment in order to see the books. Once there is an Auditor in place, they have some restrictions on what they can view. Is it lawful to discharge a firearm in Rush Township, what kind of investigation did you do on the guy who fired from near my property? They were unable to find out where he shot it from, Game Commission was called. There was a report filed, but it is not public record.
- Barry – Fire Company has sold an engine, buying a new fire truck for approximately $315,000, please inform them on what the insurance company requires. Need to have a monthly safety meeting and they have already started to set up in the sewer and road departments, it will get a 5% reduction in the insurance, approx. $2600.00. Cathy commented on the risk category change, what other reductions can get on the insurance? Rush Township is looking into different ways to reduce the insurance. State is making it harder and harder for Fire Fighters to be volunteers with all the new regulations.
- Charlie – Are they still fixing potholes in the township? Yes, they are. And how many meetings has Jeaninne missed, can she be removed? She needs to have to missed 4 meetings, Charlie said that she has. Chris interjected and stated that in order to remove someone from office, they will need to go through the State Senate.
Supervisors Comment– Rush Township will be closed December 24 & 25 for the Christmas Holiday. Ash pick-up will be Wednesday, December 23, 2015. Friday’s Garbage pick-up will be on Saturday, December 26, 2015. We will also be closed on January 1, 2016 for New Year’s Day. Garbage pick-up will be Saturday, January 2, 2016. We would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!! See you next year!!!
Chairman Gilbert adjourned the meeting at 7:40 p.m.
Transcribed and attested: Kelly Giordano/Administrative Assistant
